Marrakesh, Grand Desert, High Atlas & Essaouira — Self-Launched
10 days · Morocco
Morocco Luxury Tour charges £2,100
No-markup version: ~£735 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 10-day loop through Morocco's greatest hits — Marrakesh's medina and souks, the Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas, Ouarzazate's film studios, the Dades Valley, a Sahara camel trek and night under the stars at Erg Chebbi, the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a High Atlas Berber village homestay with guided hiking, then the Atlantic winds of Essaouira. Everything the original private tour covers, booked independently by bus, grand taxi, shared minivan and local guides. Prices are approximate per-person estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Marrakesh — Jemaa el-Fna & Koutoubia
Marrakesh
Settle into a riad or hostel in the medina. Late afternoon, walk to the Koutoubia Mosque and its gardens (free to view from outside), then wander the fondouks (medieval inns) tucked around Souk el Attarin. As dusk falls, head to Jemaa el-Fna square — storytellers, gnaoua musicians, snake charmers and food stalls. Eat cheap and well at the square-side grills (a bowl of harira and grilled skewers for ~£3-5).
🚌Airport bus or petit taxi from Marrakesh Menara Airport (~£4)
🛏Budget riad or hostel in the medina (dorm ~£10, private double ~£22)
- →Self-walk Koutoubia Mosque & gardens
- →Explore the fondouks of the medina
- →Evening at Jemaa el-Fna square
- →Optional: calèche (horse-drawn carriage) tour of the medina (~£12/hour)
Ben Youssef Madrasa, Museums & the Souks
Marrakesh
Buy a combined ticket for Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Marrakesh Museum (Dar Mnebbi Palace) / Dar Si Said. These are self-bookable at the door for a few dirhams. Spend the afternoon getting pleasantly lost in the souks — Souk el Attarin (spices), Souk Chouari (woodwork), Souk Smata (slippers) and Souk des Teinturiers (the dyers' souk). Consider a cheap half-day walking guide (~£25 split between travellers) or just use an offline map.
🚌Everything on foot in the medina
🛏Budget riad or hostel in the medina
- →Ben Youssef Madrasa
- →Marrakesh Museum / Dar Si Said
- →Souk el Attarin, Chouari, Smata & des Teinturiers
- →Optional: local half-day guided medina tour (~£25 total)
Over the High Atlas to Ouarzazate & the Dades Valley
Boumalne Dades
Take a morning CTM or Supratours bus (or shared grand taxi) from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate — the spectacular route climbs through Tizi n'Tichka pass (~£7-9, 4-5 hrs). In Ouarzazate visit the Atlas Film Studios (self-ticketed, ~£7) and, if time allows, the Musée du Cinéma. Continue by shared minivan to Boumalne Dades, passing through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs and Keláat M'Gouna (Valley of the Roses). Stop at an argan oil cooperative near Taddert en route. Overnight in a family guesthouse in Boumalne Dades.
🚌CTM/Supratours bus Marrakesh–Ouarzazate (~£8) + shared minivan/grand taxi to Boumalne (~£5)
🛏Guesthouse in Boumalne Dades (~£18 private, ~£9 dorm)
- →Tizi n'Tichka pass drive
- →Atlas Film Studios, Ouarzazate (~£7)
- →Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- →Argan oil cooperative stop in Taddert
Todra Gorge, Erfoud Fossils & Camel Trek to the Sahara
Merzouga
Morning on to Tinghir for the river oasis and the spectacular Todra Gorge (free to walk, guides optional). Continue to Erfoud for a fossil workshop visit, then into Merzouga. In late afternoon, join a camel trek with a local cameleer out to a Bedouin-style camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes (~£25-35 including dinner, music and a night's sleep in a tent). Traditional dinner and drumming under the stars. Bring a headlamp and warm layers for the desert night.
🚌Shared minivan/grand taxi Tinghir–Erfoud–Merzouga (~£10)
🛏Desert camp tent in Erg Chebbi (included in camel trek package ~£28)
- →Todra Gorge walk
- →Erfoud fossil workshop
- →Camel trek to Bedouin camp with cameleer (~£28)
- →Traditional dinner & live music at camp
Sahara Sunrise, Khemliya & Aït Benhaddou
Aït Benhaddou
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes. Return by camel to Merzouga, then head west — passing Alnif and the Draa Valley — to the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Benhaddou. Wander its alleyways and climb to the historic granaries for rooftop views across the valley. Optional: rent a sandboard before leaving Merzouga (~£6) or an ATV ride (~£30). Overnight in a guesthouse below the kasbah or in nearby Ouarzazate.
🚌Shared minivan Merzouga–Aït Benhaddou (~£12, 5-6 hrs) + local taxi to village
🛏Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou/Ouarzazate (~£18)
- →Sahara sunrise over the dunes
- →Visit traditional Saharan village of Khemliya
- →Aït Benhaddou kasbah exploration (small local guide fee ~£5)
- →Optional: sandboarding (~£6) or ATV (~£30)
Aït Benhaddou back to Marrakesh
Marrakesh
Morning exploring Aït Benhaddou's fortified alleys, then take the bus or shared minivan back over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakesh (~£10, 5 hrs). Settle in, then visit the Almoravid Koubba (the oldest monument in the city) and the Marrakesh Museum. Evening: a cheap rooftop dinner looking over the medina.
🚌Bus/shared minivan Aït Benhaddou–Marrakesh (~£10)
🛏Budget riad or hostel in the medina
- →Aït Benhaddou fortified city alleys
- →Almoravid Koubba
- →Marrakesh Museum (Dar Mnebbi Palace)
- →Rooftop dinner over the medina
High Atlas Hiking & Berber Family Homestay
Amizmiz
Head out to the High Atlas foothills around Amizmiz. Hire a certified local mountain guide for a full day's hike to Berber villages (~£40-60 total, split between travellers, or join a day group). Lunch with a local family (often arranged by the guide, ~£8). Spend the night with a Berber family in a village guesthouse — dinner, mint tea, and conversation included (~£25). Note: this must be arranged in advance with a certified guide; many operate through local agencies or Amizmiz village tourism cooperatives.
🚌Grand taxi or local bus Marrakesh–Amizmiz (~£4, 1 hr)
🛏Berber family homestay / village guesthouse in the Amizmiz area (~£25 incl. dinner & breakfast)
- →Guided High Atlas foothills hike
- →Visit traditional Berber villages
- →Lunch with a local family (~£8)
- →Evening meal & overnight with Berber family hosts
More Hiking, then Marrakesh's Palaces & Tombs
Marrakesh
Breakfast with your hosts and a shorter morning hike before returning to Marrakesh. Spend the afternoon on a self-guided walking tour of the historic core: the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace sunken gardens, Bahia Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter), and an evening stroll past the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque. A combined monument pass costs around £8.
🚌Local bus or grand taxi Amizmiz–Marrakesh (~£4)
🛏Budget riad or hostel in the medina
- →Morning hike near Amizmiz
- →Saadian Tombs
- →El Badi Palace gardens
- →Bahia Palace
- →Mellah (Jewish quarter) walk
- →Evening stroll past Koutoubia Mosque
Argan Forests & Essaouira's Medina
Essaouira
Take the Supratours/CTM bus from Marrakesh to Essaouira (~£8, 3 hrs), passing endemic argan forests — stop at an argan cooperative if the driver allows. In Essaouira, walk the UNESCO-listed medina, the Skala de la Kasbah ramparts (18th-century sea walls) and its cannons, and hit the wide Atlantic beach. Dinner of freshly caught seafood — buy at the port and have it grilled on the spot for a few pounds.
🚌Supratours/CTM bus Marrakesh–Essaouira (~£8)
🛏Budget riad or hostel in Essaouira's medina (~£20 private, ~£11 dorm)
- →Argan forest drive & cooperative stop
- →UNESCO medina of Essaouira
- →Skala de la Kasbah ramparts
- →Essaouira beach
- →Freshly grilled seafood at the port
Essaouira Beach, Watersports & Return to Marrakesh
Marrakesh
Morning on Essaouira's beach watching (or trying) the windsurfers and kitesurfers — a taster lesson costs ~£35-50 if you're keen. Optional walk to Diabat (the Jimi Hendrix castle rumour zone). Take an afternoon bus back to Marrakesh (~£8, 3 hrs), arriving late afternoon/early evening. Last chance to shop for souvenirs in the souks or visit the Majorelle Gardens (book tickets online in advance, ~£8).
🚌Bus Essaouira–Marrakesh (~£8)
🛏Optional final night in Marrakesh hostel/riad (~£22) or onwards travel
- →Essaouira beach & watersports watching
- →Optional windsurf/kiteboarding taster (~£40)
- →Optional Diabat visit
- →Optional Majorelle Gardens (~£8)
- →Souvenir shopping in Marrakesh souks
Self-launched vs. Morocco Luxury Tour
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Morocco Luxury Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£735 | £2,100 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,365 per person (65%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Morocco Luxury Tour-style trips? Check them out here.~£735
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Marrakesh, Grand Desert, High Atlas & Essaouira — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £735 per person for 10 days in Morocco. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Morocco Luxury Tour?+
Yes — Morocco Luxury Tour charges around £2,100 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £735 — a saving of roughly £1,365 (65%) per person.
How long is the Morocco trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Morocco.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Morocco, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.